"Any door is every door"

The Book of Doors was an exciting and enthralling fantasy about a series of magical books, and the lengths people will go to acquire them.

Cassie is a young woman living in New York City, working at a local bookstore. When one of the patrons passes away. he leaves a mysterious book to Cassie. She soon realizes that the book is magical and allows her to travel anywhere in the world just by opening a door. Unfortunately, she has gained the attention of magical book hunters, who have been searching for the elusive Book of Doors. Soon, Cassie and her companions are caught up in a terrible hunt, where they are fighting for their lives, and trying to keep the magical books away from those who would use them for their own evil ends.

The Book of Doors was a thrilling fantasy read. The first portion of the book moved a bit slowly, but as Cassie and her friend Izzy learn more about the books, and those searching for them, the story picked up and moved at as fast pace. I really enjoyed how the magical books are each tied to a specific use or purpose, and have certain limitations. I also enjoyed the idea that there are those people seeking the books to enhance their own power or for nefarious purposes, and those who seek them to keep them safe and out of the hands of those wishing to use them for their own gain. The story also took a slight turn I was not anticipating, which added a new dimension to the story. While it could have been confusing, the author did a good job keeping the timelines clear, and wrapping up the story by the end. This book is a great stand alone fantasy for anyone who is a fan of books, and adventure, and fighting against evil.

The only comments I have are to be sure to check the content warnings on this book. Some aspects of the book were a little more gory and explicitly violent than I was expecting, and some language used to characterize some characters could potentially be harmful. The lines in question were used in context to illustrate how horrible one specific character is, but still could be triggering. Additionally, there was one scene of a child being harmed (not physically, and not violent or explicitly written), However, as a mom, that scene was hard to read. These elements are contributing to my 4 star rating, while overall, the story was very good.

Thank you to NetGalley and to William Morrow publishers for the electronic advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When I first started this book, I thought it was really intriguing and the premise was fascinating. A book about books is always going to be something I gravitate towards and naturally enjoy. When it's a book about magic books, sign me up immediately. All that to say, this was...fine. There were parts I liked, there were moments I really disliked, the middle bit was really tough to get through, and I feel exhausted now that I've finished.

I loved the concept of the magic books. Every book was honestly so cool and most of the scenes where they were being used were really fun. I wished there had been a little more romance. When the book is billed as "...full of romance..." and then it's like the E plot, it's kinda annoying. I was shocked by how gory, brutal, and just plain awful some of the scenes were.

Overall, I wanted to like this book but it just wasn't for me. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC - all opinions are my own.

Until 70%, I had planned to give this book a lukewarm 3 stars, but the last 30% was so ridiculous, I had to knock off a star. The premise, that there are magical books out in the world, some in the hands of good people, some in the hands of evil people, is a unique one. But the story was not executed well. The tone constantly shifts from sentimental to action. Many of the chapter titles are spoilers for what's about to happen. After introducing us to several characters in the first 2/3 of the book, the last 1/3 gives us a host of new ones to keep track of. The writing itself is amateurish, there are offensive terms used towards women, and I found myself either bored, irritated, or repulsed for the majority of the book. This is a story is dire need of more developmental editing. It is not ready for public consumption yet.

I loved the premise of The Book of Doors. I mean, what reader hasn't hoped to be able to open magical doors like this?
It starts out really strong. I was invested from the first page. At around the 25% mark up until around the 50% mark or so the pacing slowed way down. It felt a bit repetitive in places and the dialogue didn't seem natural. I did take a few notes on who the different characters were and what books they (allegedly) had. Later on I perhaps should have tried to keep track of the different timelines instead. The pace of the story picked back up around the 50% mark and sped up until it exploded around the 75% mark. After this point everything just fell into mass chaos and confusion. I think maybe I might have received a copy with at least one chapter out of order which didn't help at all but I still felt like I should have had a massive cork board with index cards and red string to try to keep track of everything. I wish that some of the chapters at the end would have been drawn out more. Everything was so rushed! I did enjoy seeing a lot of the puzzle pieces fall into place and just how magical everything felt while reading.

Special thanks to William Morrow books and NetGalley for an e-arc of this new novel by Gareth Brown.

I wanted to love this book. It had so much - fantasy, a battle between good and evil, time travel, superpowers, books, and an introverted, quirky young woman as the main character. Who could ask for more?

My problem was there was really too much going on and I kept getting lost. I just couldn't keep up.

The Book of Doors was amazing! Magical, whimsical, fantastical in all the ways I crave during cold weather. It was cozy but high-stakes and quick paced but full of plot. My only criticism is that in the beginning, so many characters were introduced all at once and I had a hard time keeping track of who was who and why I cared about them. In the end, everything tied back together so brilliantly, and I felt like I was fully immersed in the story and understood how it all worked - even though it's such a wide, complicated web of plot points. I really loved how strongly the characters cared for each other and how every relationship and interaction was so clearly explained. I loved having the opportunity to read this and look forward to sharing it with my friends.

If you are a fan The Midnight Library or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, then you will love this magical realism debut novel, The Book of Doors. While I did enjoy the story line I found it confusing at times as the time travel in some chapters was 10 years and the others a few months. I thought the characters were well written and enjoyed the multiple POV. It highly enjoyed this book and will recommend to others!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. The Book of Doors is out on February 13th.

Cassie Andrews, who works in a bookshop in New York City, comes across The Book of Doors one day after one of her favorite customers dies in front of her. As fate would have it, this book not only has a note inside that says it belongs to her now but it is also one of a kind in that it allows her to open doors, taking her wherever and whenever she wants to go.

Naturally, because of the book's magical properties, it soon puts Cassie and her best friend, Izzy, in danger. Booksellers, collectors, librarians, and those who want to use to the book for more nefarious means, begin to pursue them in an effort to get their hands on this extraordinary book and others like it. To protect her life, and keep the book out of evil hands, Cassie embarks on a journey that involves new and old connections, multiple timelines, and the magic of imagination.

Like many readers, portal novels have always been a draw for me. There's something inherently enchanting about a book about books that is imbued with magic, that opens and takes characters to faraway places in space and time, showing them possibilities beyond their wildest imagination, and for that reason, I was so excited to get my hands on this. However, while the premise was phenomenal, the plot was rickety. Disjointed. And the characters fell flat. Cassie's relationships with Mr. Webber, Drummond, and Izzy, were sweet, and had touching moments, but I felt like they were lacking in the depth I had hoped to find. In addition to that, the woman's villainy was too one-note for my taste.

I'm sure others may find much to love and dazzle in this story, but it didn't quite work for me. Not my cup of tea.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This book follows a bookseller after she gets a book from a customer. Only this isn't a normal book, it allows its owner to open doors, and where do the doors lead you ask?

Well anywhere and everywhere. This book is really fun following the adventures and journeys that our main character gets to go on. But all is not well in paradise, this book is a well sought after treasure and she could be in danger by possessing the book.

This one was fun, a 3.5/5 star for me.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for the arc copy.

Thank you, Net Galley and William Morrow, for this ARC! This book is one of my favorites so far this year. I loved the fantasy aspect mixed with a tinge of darkness. I felt that this story was so eye opening and really made you think! It definitely gave me The Midnight Library vibes which also happens to be one of my favorites!

I loved this fantasy thrill ride. The story was engaging and the characters were likable. I'm not a fantasy reader but I could not read this book fast enough. A definite 5 star read for me!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely beautiful!lost myself in this book. The characters and the writing are magnificent. Been a long time since I read something so magical. Definitely recommend this ! I am looking forward to reading more books by this author ! Brilliant! 5 stars.

Cassie has lived her life off to the side. She doesn't cause trouble, she doesn't ask for much, shes just content to be. Working in Kelner's Books is her favorite place to be. There she can be surrounded by the books that are her only paths to adventure and another life. While closing shop one evening Mr. Webber finds himself keeping Cassie company on yet another cold night. Sadly though this night Mr. Webber will not make it through. After discussing how much he and Cassie both enjoy The Count of Monte Cristo, Mr. Webber passes away at the table. After paramedics have come Cassie finds a battered book on the table next to Mr. Webbers battered copy of Count of Monte Cristo that she doesn't recall seeing before.
When she opens the book all she finds is nonsense until in a dark doorway she opens it again and finds an inscription to her from Mr. Webber.
The Book of Doors changes Cassie's life forever. As the book says, Any Door Is Every Door, and Cassie finds herself standing in the doorway to her hallway except instead of the hallyway its a night in Italy that she remembers from years ago. Reaching her hand out she finds that this is not an illusion its real.
She and her friend Izzy begin to travel unknowingly catching the attention of a gentleman who knows of these kind of books, who has spent his life in search of and collecting them.
Cassie is in terrible danger, many of these books exist, books that hold magic within their pages but there is only one Book Of Doors and many will kill for it.
#TheBookOfDoors is a wonderous book that many book lovers will find themselves lost in and daydreaming about what it would be like if these magical books really existed. The time travel element has always been something a little out of my grasp, something that I am always filled with questions about but I didn't mind it in this novel. I adored reading this and I have a feeling it will be one of my favorite books of the year.

Thank you #Netgalley for the chance to read #TheBookOfDoors by #GarethBrown in return for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.
I wanted to love this book, the premise of it sounds amazing. A story about magical books, yes please! However, the pacing was a bit slow for me, it took me almost half of the book for me to really get into it. I was also very confused with the different time lines, I had to go back and read multiple times to be able to understand. I still had a good time reading.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a twisty, turny trip of a book. Starting off a little slower, it quickly speeds up, and at times it made me feel like I was being left behind as the story changed, evolved, took on a new shape, and changed again. At no point was I totally sure what the plot was, and it was kind of fun to just let the story lead me along.

I did find myself wishing the characters had gotten more development, but by the end of the book you realize the story isn’t so much about the characters as it is about the books.

The ending leaves open the opportunity for Brown to return to this world with a possible series, and I’m curious to see if the characters will return for more bookish adventures.

This book is advertised as being something that those who enjoyed The Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie Larue will like, and I think that’s spot on marketing. If you really enjoyed those books, you’ll probably really like this one too!

Shoutout to Netgally for the e-Arc!

This is a great read--full of adventure and speculative elements. I loved it. My only complaints, if you even call them that, was not giving us the romance sitting RIGHT THERE between Cassie and Drummond (plus, Drummond as a name ugh), but I get it. It could be implied. I just thought it could also be blatant :) And my other complaint was the minor plot consideration that Cassie could have created a Book of Dispatching The Woman, but that wouldn't have been fun at all, would it. (As I said, not complaints!)

Overall, terrific read with an incredibly evil villain, no stone left unturned, and it's wonderfully giving Matt Haig's "How to Stop Time".

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy!

Unfortunately, I could not get into this book and DNF at 15%. I tried picking it up dozen of times for a month and I wasn't able to connect to the characters or the story, the narration felt flat to me and the personalities weren't developed enough for me to care about the characters.

I had high hopes because I liked the concept and the first chapter, but everything after this just lacked something magical.

Rating for what I did read.

This book hooks from the beginning and it’s the type of story you have to put down to let yourself relax. The good vs evil trope is strong here which makes for some intense scenes. Saying that, our heroes Cassie, Izzy, Drummond and Lund are normal people thrown into amazing circumstance. Magical books that can give pain, joy, health illusion and one that can open a door to anywhere! Like so many things that could be a boon to mankind unless in the wrong hands.
Brown manages to explain all these sliding doors and time travel so it is understandable . But it is quite a ride.
I think this may be a debut author and it’s exhilarating. Totally recommend thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collin’s.

I can see this book having mass appeal to many readers — unfortunately the writing style wasn’t for me. DNF @ 25%.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. It was such a sad, hopeful, thoughtful, fascinating adventure. It's the kind of book that I know I'll end up rereading to see what I pick up on the next time around.

Without spoiling things, there are a lot of twists and turns and worlds to explore. The characters and writing were great. The villains were a bit one-dimensional but not to the point they bothered me.

I'd definitely welcome a return to this world, but I liked how well everything was wrapped up in the end. Of course, there are always more doors to open, so I can easily see how this tale could go on.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.